Neglected big cats headed for Texas sanctuaries

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS |
May 6, 2013

This mountain lion was among the animals seized by the Humane Society in Atchison, Kan.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Wildlife sanctuaries near Dallas are among the temporary homes for wild cats seized from private farmland in rural northeast Kansas, where they lived in inadequate chain-link enclosures and weren't properly fed or watered, authorities said Monday.

Authorities found a tiger, two mountain lions, three bobcats, two lynx, a type of African cat called a serval and two skunks on the property. They were taken Sunday from the land belonging to a relative of the animals' owner and were turned over to animal sanctuaries in Texas, Florida and Kansas.

Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie said the owner became combative during the seizure and authorities found methamphetamine. He was arrested on suspicion of multiple charges, including interference with law enforcement and disorderly conduct. He also faces 10 misdemeanor charges related to the care of the animals.

Laurie said authorities became involved in early March after receiving a complaint. Witnesses reported that the owner previously had better pens but moved the animals to the relative's property about two years ago. The move was supposed to be temporary, but the animals never left, Laurie said. "It was dirty," he said. "It was gross."